3.2 AICE US History Quiz

Who were the “Robber Barons"?

A small group ot powerful businessmen who dominated American industry, accumulated massive wealth, and held significant political influence

What were the four main criticisms of unregulated capitalism mentioned in the text?

1. Accumulation and abuse of power by “bosses".

2. Concentration of wealth/power in Robber Barons

3. Impact of recession on workers.

4. Poor living/health conditions due to urbanization

Ehat caused the Painc of 1873?

Speculative railroad expansion, banks lending too much money to risky railroad projects, and the lack of regulated national banking system

What was the “Great Depression" of thr 19th century before the 1930s?

The Painic of 1893. It lasted longer than the 1873 crisis and saw unemployment rise to nearly 13 million by 1894

How did J.P. Morgan influence the American economy during the Panics?

As an extremely wealthy individual, he personally intervened to restore businesses confidence and stop the flight flight of gold abroad, highlighting how much power rested in private hands rather than the government

What was the primary cause of the Panic of 1907?

Speculation on Wall Street and the collapse of “investment trusts" (like Knickerboker Trust) which had limited cash reserves

What major financial institution was created in 1913 as a result of these frequent panics?

The Federal Reserve Bank, designed to provide a strong central bank and regulatory process

How did the origin of immigrants change between 1860 and 1900?

In the ealry period, most came from Northern/Western Europe (England, Germany, Ireland). Later in the period, the majority came from Southern/Eastern Europe (Italy, Greece, Russia, Austro-Hungary)

Which decade had the highest peak in immigration?

1901-1910, with nearly 9 million immigrants

What was the “Dumbbell Tenement"?

A specific type of overcrowded, poorly ventilated apartment building in New York City where thousand of immigrants lived in “appalling" conditions

Who was Jacob Riis?

A journalist and early photographer who documented the horrific living conditions in New York City Tenements to campaign for social reform

What were the health consequences of rapid urbanization?

Lack of clean water and sewage led to outbreaks of cholera, smallpox, and typhoid. In the 1880s, roughly 25% of urban children died before the age of 5

Who was “Boss" Tweed?

The leader of the Tammany Hall political machine in New York City who stole an estimated $45 million in public money through corruption

How did political “machines” gain the loyalty of new immigrants?

Provided immediate help that the Government didn't, such as finding jobs, housing, or helping families out of legal trouble, in exchange for their votes

What did the phrase:”vote early and vote often" refer to?

Dishonest election practices and voter fraud used by political machines to stay in power

What were the typical working hours for an industrial worker in the 1890s?

A minimum of 60 hours a week, often in dangerous conditions with no sick pay, holidays, or unemployment insurance

Why was the “Knights of Labor” (formed 1869) significant?

It was the first attempt to form a nationwide trade union open to both skilled and unskilled workers

What led to the decline of thr Knights of Labor?

Failed strikes, internal divisions, and the rise of the American Federeation of Labor(AFL)

What was the American Federation of Labor (AFL)?

A loose federation of caft unions (skilled workers) founded in 1886 that focused on practical goals like better pay and working hours

How did the Pullman Strike of 1894 end?

The government used the army to break the strike, and the Supreme Court backed the use of force, ruling the strike illegal

Why were many employers like Andrew Carnegie hostile to unions?

They believed unions interfered with thiet right to make maximum profits and often used private detectives (like the Pinkertons) or locked out workers to break strikes

What was the “Laissez-faire" belief?

The prevailing philosophy that the Government should not interfere in the economy or the relationship between employers and workers

What was the Grange (Patrons of Husbandry)?

An organization founded by farmers in 1967 to protest against high Railroad freight rates and warehouse charges

What were “Granger Laws"?

Laws passed in several states to regulate what railroad companies could charge for transporting and storing grain

What was the Farmer's Alliance?

A movement that replaced the Grange in the late 1870s, seeking more direct political action and federal government intervention to help farmers

What major problems did American farmers face in the late 19th century?

Over-population leading to low prices, high debt/invest rates from banks, and monopolies held by railroad

How did the federal government respond to farmers requests for help in 1880s?

Mostly with neglect; for example, President Cleveland vetoed a Bill to help farmers, arguing the government shouldn’t support the people

What was the significance of th 1892 Omaha Convention?

It saw the Alliance and Labor groupd join to form a new political platform calling for railroad regulation and currency reform

Why did Henry Ford later argue for paying workers higher wages?

He realized there was no point in mass-producation cars if the workers could not afford to buy them

By 1913, how much of the population li ed in cites?

Roughly 46% (up from 20% in 1869)